Hundreds of catechumens, candidates prepare to enter Church

More than 600 people across the archdiocese were preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter when the ceremonies welcoming them into the Church were postponed by the coronavirus pandemic.
 
Father Stephen Bird, pastor at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church and director for the Secretariat for Divine Worship, said 280 catechumens and 330 candidates joined Archbishop Coakley for the Rite of Election on March 1. But, two weeks before they were to enter the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil, the archbishop announced the suspension of public Masses to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Now that public Mass may resume with social distancing precautions, pastors are moving ahead to bring the elect into the Church.

At Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, 25 men and women are more than ready. News of the rescheduled Rite of Initiation was met with joy and excitement, said their pastor Father William Novak, vicar general.

“They’ve been very patient. They were geared up and had just been to the cathedral and met the bishop,” Father Novak said. “Some have been preparing for many years. They want so desperately to become a full member of the Church.”

The Roman Missal’s rarely celebrated Vigil for Pentecost will provide the perfect celebration for the occasion, Father Novak said.

“It’s a unique liturgy. It does have the feel of the Easter Vigil,” he said.

The Liturgy of the Word includes four readings from the Old Testament, each one illustrating a longing for the promised Holy Spirit among God’s people and followed by a response and prayer. The Epistle, Romans 8:22-27, and Gospel, John 7:37-39, continue the theme of waiting for the coming Holy Spirit.

Saint Francis of Assisi will celebrate the Vigil for Pentecost at 8 p.m. May 30 after the regular Saturday 5 p.m. Mass. The church can accommodate 120 people, so the catechumens and candidates can be joined by their sponsors and close family, Father Novak said. Others can watch a live stream.

Social distancing protocols will require some changes – like no laying on of hands, using fresh holy water for each person being baptized and anointing foreheads with a cotton ball dipped in the holy oils.

Saint John of Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon also will use the Vigil for Pentecost extended liturgy May 30 when 18 catechumens and candidates will receive the sacraments.

Parishioner Ann Cook, who works in the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis at the archdiocese, said the RCIA team at Saint John Nepomuk lead the elect through a five-week study called “Discovery” during Lent. The study focuses on encountering Christ, knowing him as Lord and Savior, and committing to a relationship with him.

“This year was a little different, of course,” Cook said. “Our catechists ended up recording their discussions for lessons four and five in YouTube videos.”

Sponsors arranged a time to watch the videos with their candidates and catechumens so they could stop and discuss the questions as they went. They were encouraged to e-mail the RCIA team with questions and comments about the lesson within a week of receiving the message.

Participants sent messages saying how the lessons spoke to them and thanking the catechists for keeping the RCIA program going.

“Like everyone, we have been challenged this year to stay connected with our RCIA participants,” RCIA Coordinator Bryan Hooper said. “Though nothing takes the place of face-to-face interaction, I have been very pleased, and thankful for the results of utilizing video communication to stay connected.”

The challenge to provide an RCIA experience that would communicate the love and presence of God to participants in a new way was met, Hooper said. It reminded him of a quote from Saint Augustine: “The words of God are infused with grace.”
 
“He made this a reality for us, even through video,” Hooper said.

K.S. McNutt is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

Photo: Catechumens, candidates and their sponsor from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City attended the Rite of Election on March 1 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Photo Dcn. John Harned.